Vitamin D supplementation to prevent falls in the elderly: evidence and practical considerations.

Vitamin D supplementation to prevent falls in the elderly: evidence and practical considerations.

Fosnight Susan M; Zafirau William J; Hazelett Susan E

Pharmacotherapy

2008

2008-02

Pharmacists in both ambulatory and institutional settings are often in a position to help optimize the drug regimens of patients who are experiencing falls. Supplementation with vitamin D is an important emerging therapy for the prevention of falls. Numerous investigators have recently studied or reviewed the association between vitamin D supplementation and decreased risk of falls in elderly patients, yet little of this information is available in the pharmacy literature. A MEDLINE search was conducted to collect relevant articles about the role of vitamin D in preventing falls among elderly patients; recently published meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials were identified and reviewed. The studies indicated a statistically significant positive relationship between vitamin D supplementation with either cholecalciferol 700 IU/day or greater or ergocalciferol 800 IU/day or greater and decreased risk of falls. Other practical issues, including who should receive vitamin D replacement, what form of vitamin D should be used, and what dosage is required to prevent falls, are discussed.

Humans; Aged; Patient Education as Topic; Pharmaceutical Services; Accidental Falls/*prevention & control/statistics & numerical data; Calcium/administration & dosage/therapeutic use; Cholecalciferol/administration & dosage/therapeutic use; Ergocalciferols/administration & dosage/therapeutic use; Vitamin D/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use; Vitamins/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use; 80 and over

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